The prevalence of laser vision correction in ophthalmologists who perform refractive surgery

Session Details

Session Title: Photoablation Outcomes I

Session Date/Time: Monday 07/09/2015 | 16:30-18:30

Paper Time: 16:30

Venue: Room 17

First Author: : J.Brinton USA

Co Author(s): :    G. Kezirian   G. Parkhurst   R. Norden              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To determine the prevalence of laser corneal refractive surgery (laser vision correction, or LVC) among ophthalmologists who perform these procedures. To assess willingness of these ophthalmologists to recommend LVC to immediate family members.

Setting:

Global Database of Refractive Surgeons. Global survey conducted by email to 250 ophthalmologists practicing across 5 continents

Methods:

Design: Prospective Randomized Questionnaire Study. Methods: The 22-question Global Survey on Refractive Surgery in Refractive Surgeons was sent by email to 250 ophthalmologists randomly selected from a database of 2,441 ophthalmologists known to have performed LVC at some point in the past decade. Responses were solicited by email, with subsequent telephone reminders to non-responders.

Results:

Responses were received from 248/250 (99.2%) of queried individuals, of which 232/250 (92.8%) met the protocol criteria of being currently practicing refractive surgeons. Of the 232 subjects, 161 (69.4%) reported that they had refractive errors potentially amenable to treatment with LVC, not including presbyopia. Of the 161 ophthalmologists with treatable refractive errors, 54 (33.5%) reported they were not candidates for LVC for a variety of reasons, while 107 (66.5%) reported they were candidates for LVC. Of the LVC candidates, 62.6% reported that they have undergone an LVC procedure on their own eyes. Notably, of the overall 232 subjects, over 90% recommend LVC for adult members of their immediate family.

Conclusions:

Ophthalmologists who perform LVC are significantly more likely than the general population to have LVC on their own eyes, and over 90% recommend LVC for their immediate family members. The prevalence of refractive errors is significantly higher among ophthalmologists performing refractive surgery than the general population.

Financial Interest:

NONE